In 1999, the Sundarbans and the surrounding 10-kilometer radius were declared an Ecologically Critical Area (ECA). Yet over the past 25 years, the forest's ecosystem has steadily deteriorated. Recently, resorts built for tourists and their operational activities have emerged as new threats to the forest's wildlife. Wildlife researchers say unregulated tourism is straining the food supply and habitat of all animals in the Sundarbans, including tigers.
According to the Forest Department and other sources, over 20 resorts have been built in Khulna and Satkhira by clearing forestland and filling canals. These resorts use noisy generators, blast loud music, and operate air conditioning units. However, under Bangladesh’s Environment Conservation Act, any construction or activity that damages the natural characteristics of the area within 10 kilometers of the forest is strictly prohibited. These resorts, built in violation of the law, are damaging the ecosystem. Water, noise, and soil pollution are increasing around the resorts. Wildlife is leaving the area.
In 2018, only three eco-cottages existed near the Sundarbans in Khulna’s Dakop and Bagerhat’s Mongla areas. This number remained unchanged through 2021. Afterward, there was a surge in resort construction. Two professors from Khulna University conducted a baseline study on community-based eco-tourism around the Sundarbans about a year ago. According to the study, by 2023, the number of resorts in the Sundarbans area had increased to 12 within two years. These 12 resorts had 74 rooms, capable of accommodating 260 tourists.
Conservator of Forests of Khulna Region Imran Ahmed told Bonik Barta, “We currently have about 15 eco-resorts in Koyra. These resorts are right by the Sundarbans, directly on the riverbanks. Many countries around the world have eco-resorts. If operated in compliance with laws, they can be good examples. But the information we have suggests that these resorts are not following the law; rather, they’re harming the forest. They’re poaching deer and trespassing deep into the forest. These activities directly endanger the tiger’s food sources and shelter. Tigers can only thrive if the forest remains healthy. But if there are constant loud generators, speakers, and AC units around, the forest's condition will gradually worsen, impacting the tigers.”
According to the latest survey, the tiger population in the Sundarbans is 125, based on 2024 statistics. Earlier, the 2015 tiger census estimated 106 tigers in the Sundarbans, and the 2018 census reported 114 tigers. The latest survey, conducted last year across a 2,240 square kilometer area of the forest, involved installing a total of 657 cameras. These cameras automatically capture images when a tiger passes by. Out of 31,482 total images captured, 7,297 were of tigers. The survey also found images of 21 tiger cubs, whereas only five tiger cub images were found in the 2014 and 2018 censuses. This survey cost the government BDT 32.6 million.
Researchers emphasize that tigers face both direct and indirect threats. Illegal poaching and trafficking remain critical dangers. Deer poaching is also rampant in the Sundarbans. Recently, the Forest Department has intensified enforcement efforts, uncovering more traps and poachers, but experts say more needs to be done.
According to Forest Department and police sources, 757 kg of venison was seized from the Sundarbans by March this year alone. 36 cases were filed, and 84 individuals were accused. In comparison, 514 kg was seized in Fiscal Year (FY) 2023–24 and 523 kg in FY 2022–23, revealing a significant rise in deer poaching.
Professor Monirul H Khan, Chairman of the Zoology Department at Jahangirnagar University, commented that a decrease in deer in the Sundarbans would also lead to a decline in the tiger population. He is also one of the co-creators of the Bangladesh Tiger Action Plan. He told Bonik Barta, “Tigers are endangered for various reasons. Poachers and smugglers are the biggest threats to tigers in the Sundarbans. Although government figures show 11 more tigers last year compared to 2018, overall, this cannot be considered an increase. In 2010, a tiger conference was held in Russia. All the countries where tigers range came together. India, along with other countries, agreed to double their tiger population within the next decade. Most countries, except for Bangladesh, came close to that, even if they could not double it. Bangladesh could not achieve that. Therefore, the government needs to think specifically about tigers.”
The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) classifies tigers in Bangladesh as critically endangered. Among the 13 tiger range countries in 2010, tigers now survive in 10 countries (Bangladesh, India, Nepal, Bhutan, Russia, China, Thailand, Myanmar, Malaysia, and Indonesia). Tigers have become extinct from the forests of the remaining three countries: Vietnam, Cambodia, and Laos.
Despite the government’s optimism over increased tiger numbers, researchers urge caution. Dr. Niamul Naser, professor of zoology at the University of Dhaka, told Bonik Barta, “It’s commonly believed that the Sundarbans once had two or three times more tigers than it does now — this is evident. As forest areas have shrunk, prey populations have decreased, and habitats have declined, it's natural that tiger numbers are falling. If we lose five tigers a year, it won’t even take 50 years for 125 tigers to disappear. The point is that the government is not emphasizing tiger conservation as much as it should. Instead, they are somewhat complacent after finding more tigers in the survey. This is not right.”
Commenting on both the challenges and opportunities in tiger conservation, forest conservator of Khulna Region Imran Ahmed told Bonik Barta, “The challenges in tiger conservation lie in poaching of tigers and deer, forest degradation, impacts of climate change, local population’s excessive reliance on the forest, tigers entering human settlements, etc. If I talk about opportunities, compared to other forests, human aggression in the Sundarbans is less, and there is no illegal forest land encroachment. The combined tiger population of the India-Bangladesh Sundarbans remains healthy. The Forest Department is in a stricter position than ever before to protect the Sundarbans. If active cooperation from other law enforcement agencies continues with the Forest Department, it will be possible to protect the Sundarbans’ tigers and their prey animals.”